Next Generation MINI Clubman to Become a Crossover
The wagon is dead and the crossover continues to thrive. The truth is, MINI is bowing to pressure from the marketplace and turning its much loved (but slow selling) MINI Clubman into a small crossover similar to the Countryman.
In a wide-ranging interview on Autocar, Oliver Heilmer hinted that the next Clubman could move towards an SUV format.
How it will correspond wit the Countryman remains to be seen. However based on hints and rumors here’s what we think MINI has planned. We believe the next generation Countryman will grow in size (mainly length) and retain it’s place as the largest MINI.
We expect MINI to transition the Clubman into the crossover category but keep it shorter and more BMW X2 like to differentiate the two.
The other bonus rumor in all of this is the return of the Traveller name as an all electric crossover based on the next generation BMW 1 Series.
For those wanting a current generation Clubman you have some time. We expect production to cease in late 2021 or the first half of 2022.
MotoringFile Take
We’ve driven the entire range of MINIs and consistently come back to the Clubman as the best to own and live with on a daily basis. The hatch is special and the more rewarding drive. But it’s the combination of performance and utility in the Clubman that keeps us coming back (we’ve had three). The idea of MINI adding weight and height to the car saddens us greatly. We get the economics at play and the need to follow the market, but what happens when the market wakes up from its crossover craze and realizes what it means to enjoy driving while having space?
<p>This is literally the moment MINI lost me. (The first Clubman was PERFECT for me as a musician who loves little sports cars). Generation 1: perfect. Gen 2: looks like a soccer mom car but Motoringfile says it’s great so I believe them… sorta. Gen 3: Motoringfile is sad; I jump off a bridge.</p>
my future with MINI: buying used R56s and a new minivan for when I need to haul stuff. Do they get a cut of used MINIs? Didn’t think so… shame.
<p>If a Clubman is a real Mini then I’m a Dutchman. The only true Mini is the 2 door, one hatch version which comes closest to the original design, which had a boot (trunk) , no doors. The “original” wagons from the 60’s were quirky, cute but an abomination. Lucas Electric, need I say more?
Enter BMW. As a Brit it embarrasses me enough that my Rolls and Bentley are now German-owned, but my MINI also. Oh, the pain. However I do have to grudgingly admit at least now all 3 do actually work reliably.
All that said, the Countryman is an oversized chunk of crap designed for the North American market where bigger is better, even if it looks like a Stilton cheese on wheels, something from the drawing boards of GM, Chrysler or Ford. The only Mini that is a new station wagon is called the Clubman. All the Clubman is is Countryman that’s been sat on by a herd of elephants. It just looks squished. It doesn’t make any sense. Open a rear door or two and it’d appear you’re at the County Fair with Lilliebell and attempting to hit a very small target down an even smaller corridor. All this so sweet Lilliebell can go home with…..a souvenir model of the Original Mini, one of which (built in the original version) my Dad purchased in 1960. Sans BMW it was truly a bowl of very bitter sauerkraut.</p>
<p>You want a Mini for a specific reason or two. You want to impress chicks with that English accent and you wanna look neato, peachy keen and gear and fab. Don’t bastardize the thing until it puts on enough weight to become like the “Beast”, that 7-ton Behemoth the President sloshes around in.</p>
<p>PS. Truth and transparency: I own neither a Rolls or a Bentley. My daughter is on her second Mini. She loved the 2 door, and is terrified by how much more petrol the 4door sucks up.</p>
<p>Remember, the Esso sign means Happy Motoring!!</p>
<p>PS. A few short years after the Austin or Morris or Woolsey 7 appeared, British Leyland came up with….wait for it….
The Maxi.</p>
“Terrified by how much more petrol the 4 door sucks up”….? Terrified? Really? You must have some high gas prices, cause you can get a gallon for under 3 bucks here.
<p>Sorry but the MINI Clubman styling was/is a bad idea, from a selling perspective that is. 99% of every person I have spoken to regarding the Clubman has stated one of 2 comments as there first reaction a)”It looks like a Hearse” (honestly who wants to drive a car that looks like a hearse, no matter how “good” it drives. B)This car looks like a…”wagon”, again, this isn’t freaking 1980 (when wagons were in) and no one wants to look like an Old person driving a car.</p>
<p>Here is to hoping the New Clubman (or whatever they call it) is a better hit. Hope it doens’t grow too much, in fact if it shrunk a little say Old CTM size, I think that would be better.</p>
<p>You do know in the automotive enthusiast community, wagons are in. Especially brown wagons…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I like wagons.</p></li>
<li><p>A friend used to drive a hearse. (Seriously). It was what their band toured in. I thought it was awful.</p></li>
<li><p>The original Clubman with the sports suspension gave (picks a number) 94% of the 2-door hardtop driving experience… it is the only practical solution they have ever offered about which I can say that.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>It would be great if they just followed the tack of some of the other auto manufacturers – make a raised wagon and call it a crossover and simultaneously offering the non-raised, less chunkily-styled version as the wagon. VW, Volvo, Audi, Buick/Opel have all done it.</p>
<p>According to Georg Kacher – Automobile Magazine’s European Bureau Chief and one of the most influential automotive journalists in the world – six all-new MINIs are being planned as follows:</p>
<p>ALL-NEW MODELS 2023 ONWARDS:</p>
<p>Small All-Electric Platform Shared With Great Wall Motor:</p>
<p>MINI Mini City Car
MINI 3-dr Hatch
MINI 5-dr Crossover</p>
<p>Larger FAAR Platform With ICE/Hybrid/BEV Options:</p>
<p>MINI Countryman – sister car to BMW X1
MINI Sportsman – sister car to BMW X2
MINI Spaceman – sister car to BMW 2-series AT</p>
<p>The next generation Countryman will be noticeably larger than the current model but still the smallest in its market segment.
The current F55 will be replaced by the “Sportsman” Sports Crossover.
The Clubman will be replaced by the “Spaceman” MPV Crossover and will be similar in concept to the current BMW 2-series Active Tourer shown in the attached picture, and with a similarly high roof line will be the most spacious MINI yet; hence the rumored name “Spaceman”.
<a href="https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/71eb5014a928f45ba8682ad850c5eb0a5a7a37a9ab4a99fdb3f2d9bfed8892b7.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/71eb5014a928f45ba8682ad850c5eb0a5a7a37a9ab4a99fdb3f2d9bfed8892b7.jpg</a></p>
<p>I’m excited about the MINI Mini (which won’t be available to me).</p>
<p>I have some hope for the new 3-dr hatch. The rest I’m really skeptical about.</p>
<p>Some of that is wrong based on my sources. Especially the MVP which is a nascent market outside of some countries in Europe.</p>
<p>Question: why would Georg Kacher, who is based in Munich and who is on first name terms with all the top brass in the German auto industry all of whom eagerly seek his opinions, have sources less reliable than Motoringfile’s sources? :)</p>
It’s happened in the past 🙂
<p>If Georg proves to be wrong this time, I’ll buy you a beer. If MotoringFile’s source proves to be wrong, I’ll still buy you a beer. Can’t say fairer than that :)</p>
yea.. all of those hardcore MINI owners hating on the new one’s.. have you driven one yet? i own one, a 2020 JCW Countryman.. comparing the fit and finish of it compared to my 2013 R58.. day and night.. feels premium, rides amazing but not as noisy.. but i plan to fix that w/a REMUS exhaust upgrade once they release it in spring (also am working with REMUS to be one of the first in the USA to get one installed on my F60.. so excited!!!!).
also.. i plan to take my Clyde to track days this spring and am hoping to keep up with some GP2s and proving the comments here wrong.. remember.. new MINIs are STILL SMALL compared to what the market has to offer, even the Clubman and Countryman (small SUVs that is). just my .02..
edit: also.. ever try to cross shop for a fun small SUV? until this last year, MINI was the only one imo worth getting. The new RAV4 w/300HP will be a great comparison to the Clubman/Countryman JCWs.. sure, the RAV4 is still about $15K less but.. MINI does = BMW fit and finish as of the last few years..
<p>yea.. all of those hardcore MINI owners hating on the new one’s.. have you driven one yet? i own one, a 2020 JCW Countryman.. comparing the fit and finish of it compared to my 2013 R58.. day and night.. feels premium, rides amazing but not as noisy.. but i plan to fix that w/a REMUS exhaust upgrade once they release it in spring (also am working with REMUS to be one of the first in the USA to get one installed on my F60.. so excited!!!!).</p>
<p>also.. i plan to take my Clyde to track days this spring and am hoping to keep up with some GP2s and proving the comments here wrong.. remember.. new MINIs are STILL SMALL compared to what the market has to offer, even the Clubman and Countryman (small SUVs that is). just my .02..</p>
<p>edit: also.. ever try to cross shop for a fun small SUV? until this last year, MINI was the only one imo worth getting. The new RAV4 w/300HP will be a great comparison to the Clubman/Countryman JCWs.. sure, the RAV4 is still about $15K less but.. MINI does = BMW fit and finish as of the last few years..</p>
I am certain many, many people love the new larger cars and that’s great for the brand, I’m sure they’ll sell more cars.
That said, I don’t need to drive a new one to know it is just simply larger than I need or want. I’m certain I’d love the new Corvette, but even that is a behemoth of a car to park and drive compared to my JCW Coupe.
My wife owns a Clubman R55. That as big as either of us want. We both love the wagon look. Just because the rest of the country wants to drive a car the size of a small house Like the Tundra or Denali, square air vents and all, doesn’t mean I’m okay with upsizing and homogenizing my next MINI for their tastes – I am not them.
I wish MINI would just make the Rocketman and take my money instead of trying to sell me something that’s harder to park that gets closer and closer to being like a well-performing, luxury RAV4 in MINI sheet metal. It just doesn’t appeal to me. I’ve had small cars my whole life and for a long time the MINI brand epitomized that lifestyle; now, especially with this announcement, they appear to be changing into something different, regardless of how well the cars perform, or their level of luxury.
<p>I am certain many, many people love the new larger cars and that’s great for the brand, I’m sure they’ll sell more cars.</p>
<p>That said, I don’t need to drive a new one to know it is just simply larger than I need or want. I’m certain I’d love the new Corvette, but even that is a behemoth of a car to park and drive compared to my JCW Coupe.</p>
<p>My wife owns a Clubman R55. That as big as either of us want. We both love the wagon look. Just because the rest of the country wants to drive a car the size of a small house Like the Tundra or Denali, square air vents and all, doesn’t mean I’m okay with upsizing and homogenizing my next MINI for their tastes – I am not them.</p>
<p>I wish MINI would just make the Rocketman and take my money instead of trying to sell me something that’s harder to park that gets closer and closer to being like a well-performing, luxury RAV4 in MINI sheet metal. It just doesn’t appeal to me. I’ve had small cars my whole life and for a long time the MINI brand epitomized that lifestyle; now, especially with this announcement, they appear to be changing into something different, regardless of how well the cars perform, or their level of luxury.</p>
<p>Im happy to report that after being an occasional lurker here from back in the r53 days, I’ve finally become a MINI owner. On December 24th i took delivery of a CPO clubman and I think it may be the best car ive ever owned- and it replaced a e46 ZHP. I picked it up as a station car/ dadmobile. AWD and auto really helps in the NE. I’m surprised to see so much negativity on the F54 (or rather lack of love). It really is just an awesome car that I feel is a rare gem in the auto world nowadays. It’s kinda unconventional at a time where everything is done to not be risky or seem out of the norm. If a kitchen renovation didn’t go over budget my plan was to order a JCW. But now in a way I’m glad I didn’t. CPOs pose such a tremendous value (in my book for my needs). I feel like I got so much for so little. I ended up spending 23K out the door for less then 20k miles and my wife and I couldn’t be happier. It’s such an incredibly good looking car. I’ve had a number of people ask me about it so far. In a way i almost feel like it’s easy advertising for MINI- get more people into CPOs, get more cars on the road and more people will come in to see the new ones. With that said, news like this kinda kills me because it just means that this is MINI’s way of conforming and give the masses what they want. We the enthusiasts, be it the motorers or bimmer fans that don’t need to rely on a turbo, occupy such a small space in the auto world that I can’t really say I’m surprised. They way I see it, if this change to the Clubman allows MINI to continue to produce cars like the hardtop and others you just want to get behind the wheel of, I’m fine with that. Who knows- perhaps when wagons get popular in the future another 6 door may seem viable.</p>
<p>This is some good news. BMW Italy some years ago made a show car called Mini Clubman All4 Scrambler: the result was pretty good. It will probably look like the upcoming crossover (except the offroad tires).</p>
<p>Take a look: <a href="https://www.autoblog.it/post/805127/mini-clubman-all4-scrambler" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.autoblog.it/post/805127/mini-clubman-all4-scrambler</a></p>
<p>It’s amazing how some hardcore Miniacs can trash most all of the current line of Minis except for the 3 door hatch. Even there are some that cut it down for its front overhang or even just being larger than the Gen 1 series.</p>
<p>Sometimes it’s forgotten that we have several models of Minis….large and small each of which attract a different core of enthusiasts for whatever reason that have for choosing one that connects to their usage.</p>
<p>Twelve years ago I picked my 1st MINI…an ‘08 R56S, followed by a ‘12 R58JCW. They were the models for me at that time. Then I transitioned to one that was more usable re space and usage….the ‘15 F55S 4 door hatch. Following that model I realized I wanted (needed) something taller (easier entry) with more carrying capacity as I approached my late 70’s and I opted for the ‘17 F60S All4.
Now I am about to pick up my 5th MINI late this month…ordered back in Oct…the new ‘20 F60JCW.</p>
<p>My 1st 2 MINIs were manual trans, which I really enjoyed but I transitioned to 6 speed then 8 speed AT. All these choices have related to what I wanted and needed at the tIme. I didn’t see them as too small or too large, too heavy or too bulky. They each fit my life at the time. I wanted to stay with the MINI brand and each of those 4 and upcoming 5th MINI will do the job as I see it as I enter my 80th year in July.</p>
<p>With each subsequent move toward larger, more commodity cars, away from quirky, small, sporty and fun cars, the less likely it becomes my next car will be a MINI. It’s so disheartening to see this trend toward giant vehicles.</p>